Vacation With A Purpose

It is time to sign up for the Kivu Spring Break trip to the Philippines! This is the most amazing trip! You can sign up as a family and experience the trip of a lifetime in the beautiful Palawan region of the Philippine islands or you can send your 16-18 year old to join us on their own.

This honestly is the very best week of our family's life each year! We love it! Go to www.campkivu.com and register today or email me jameijo@campkivu.com with any questions!



Don't wait! We are renting out the entire El Nido resort this year! Go to www.elnidoresorts.com to see pictures of the five star eco resort! Come vacation with us!!!

March 5-13, 2011


The Camp Kivu El Nido Group from 2010

Bronxville New York

Last weekend I had a WONDERFUL chance to spend some time with KIVU friends in Bronxville, New York. Jamie Jo worked out a weekend with one of our KIVU families who were interested in sharing what we're doing out here in Colorado with some New York teens. I showed up and talked with parents interested in knowing what was going on with teenagers today, and they were so gracious.

The next day was filled with football games, and then a youth event with the local church. We talked about some of the curriculum we work on at KIVU, and they were intrigued. I'll be surprised if we don't have more teenagers and families out here in Colorado next summer.

The weekend ended with a formal parents night, and what a night it was. I think some parents are so surprised to know what's really going on in the teenage world, but they're more excited about partnering with organizations like ours.

Thanks to the families who made the September 11, weekend special in New York. I won't forget the time I spent up there, and I hope the KIVU team will be returning soon. Thanks so much!!

New York

Andy is headed to Bronxville, New York next weekend to speak to parents and teens at a special weekend that one of our WONDERFUL camp moms (Sarah Kraemer) has single-handedly put together!

Andy will be doing a "home show" in their home on Friday night. A home show is just a get together for camp families and their friends so that Andy can spread the word about KIVU to communities. Then he will be speaking to teens on that Saturday in an "event" that Sarah planned and put together on her own. On Sunday, Sarah has planned a get together for parents of teens so that Andy can speak to them and not only tell them about KIVU, but give them a little insight into the "real" lives of their teens. What a great weekend!

Thank you SO MUCH, Sarah, for all of your hard work and initiative!

Moms, if you are a go-getter like Sarah, bring Andy to your town so that other local teens can enjoy Camp Kivu with your children! Email me (jamiejo@campkivu.com) if you are interested in helping!

OKLAHOMA

Andy is headed to Oklahoma for the entire week of October 4th. He will be in Enid doing a spiritual emphasis week. If you want to bring him to your church or youth group or to your home during that week (OKC area), then let me know! jamiejo@campkivu.com

He would love to see as many of you and your friends as possible!

Bring Andy & Camp Kivu To Your Town

Hey everyone! I am working on getting Andy into as many homes and schools and churches as possible this year and I cannot do it without your help! If you would like to help me bring Andy to your city, please email me at jamiejo@campkivu.com and I will try and make that happen! We are needing to fill Camp Kivu next summer and we can only do that if you and your friends sign up! So, email me and let's spread the word about Kivu to your corner of the world!

First year at KIVU....HANDLED

WOW!! The first summer at Camp KIVU was a total success. Just like seeing a huge rapid in the middle of the river, we buckled down and rafted right through it.

The bikes are all put away now.

The rafts are all rolled up.

The Lantz is quiet.

But the serenity remains.

Thanks to all of you guys who made the first summer at KIVU so much fun.

While we've all now gone on to other parts of life, be sure to check in from time to time. We'll be updating from now and then as we start our fall tour, meet with campers, interview staff, and get ready to program for the summer 2011.

In the meantime you can find us at....

Facebook: www.facebook.com/campkivu

Twitter: @campkivu

Web: www.campkivu.com

YouTube: Channel CampKIVU

Feel free to upload your own photos, videos, or comments on those sites. We'd love to hear from you. God bless, and we can't wait to see you in the summer 2011. So what are you waiting for, go over to the website and sign up today!!

Blue People

Here are some pictures from a few days ago on the rafting trip. There were only 2 campers (2 of the best may I add!), Jeremy and Magnus. It was one of the best trips I went on all summer and the best part was....Magnus turned blue! HA! His shirt dyed his body blue and it wouldn't even come out after a shower. It was a memorable day to be sure!

Last Barn Dance for 2010

Simply Organic

The 6th term campers and staff had a real treat today at lunch. Adam caught and prepared 60 pounds of fresh rainbow trout from the los pinos river that runs through camp. The trout was absolutely amazing...we all loved it! Along with the fish, we had a great assortment of garlic baked vegetables; zucchini, squash, green beans, and broccoli. The best part yet, all of the veggies came from our garden! Dill-coated brown rice was served on the side and expo bars topped off the meal. It was fun to have a fresh, organic (and local :-) meal for lunch today.

Surprise Saturday Night!

Last night we surprised the kids with a Saturday night out on the town! Check out our good time!

The Last Day at the Lake.

Yesterday was an excellent last day at the lake! Almost every camper came out, the weather was near perfect and we had an absolute blast! After a great day at the lake we took everyone bowling which was so fun. I think Luke is going to post a little video of that adventure. All and all, yesterday was one heck of a fun day! Thanks for sending your son's and daughter's to the mountains. They are having such a great time!

Nate

p.s. here are some photos I made yesterday while playing at the lake.

Camper Smiles From Today (and Happy Birthday to Mike Katan!)

Weekend Picture Competition

Our staff is so talented. This picture was posted on facebook by our own Joe Miller of the KIVU water program.

As I was thinking today, I decided we should have a KIVU picture contest. If you want to play...

1.) Upload your favorite KIVU picture to our facebook page By Clicking Here.

2.) Look out all weekend for your favorite pictures, and vote on them by clicking the LIKE button.

3.) The owner of the picture with the most votes will receive a free KIVU t-shirt, and a travel mug mailed out first thing Monday morning.

So what are you waiting for?

Let's see what kind of images are out there. Show us what you saw this summer @CampKIVU!

Smells Fishy in Here

Today, Adam fished. Adam caught lots of fish. Adam brought fish to kitchen. Adam cleaned fish. Adam froze fish. Tomorrow, Adam will cook fish for campers. Yay Adam!!!

The fish:

The boy's feelings towards the fish:

The girl's feelings towards the fish:

Breakfast for Dinner

We all know the event... breakfast for dinner!!! For me growing up, it wasn't always planned. It was a perfect standby when we couldn't think of anything else to fix. It is easy and always effective and pleasing! It is also, planned or unplanned, an excellent tradition and I can't for the life of me think of why it hasn't happened regularly here at Kivu. Tonight it is representing in full force. We are playing cartoons on the big screen and eating the best breakfast for dinner you could ever imagine!!! Chocolate milk, OJ, hot cocoa, COFFEE!!! Oatmeal bar, cereal bar, sausage, and bacon!!! And PANCAKES, with ALL the toppings! Blueberries, strawberries, whipped cream, peanut butter, powdered sugar, bananas, almonds, oatmeal, chocolate chips, white chocolate chips, Oreo crumbles, and the old standby, syrup! Every pancake is unique and I'm sure, delicious!

Movie In the Gazebo- No Boys Allowed!!

A few nights ago, after the Hollywood Party Premiere (movies, awards, paparazzi, delicacies to eat, and a rockin' dance party), the girls got an extra special treat of watching Little Women in the gazebo. The sky was clear and filled with millions of stars. The girls were sent to bed only to be brought back out of their cabins for the surprise of the day!! There was hot cocoa and m&ms and everyone cuddled up with their blankets and pillows. We had a great time watching a classic movie about some super cool girls, all while spending time with some even cooler girls- your kids!! It was a night to remember for sure!!